College Free Agents On The Blackhawks Radar?

Over the past few years, the Blackhawks have been players for college free agents. Chicago has signed a handful of college free agents including Drew LeBlanc, Matt Carey, Kyle Baun and Trevor van Riemsdyk. Last summer the Hawks made a serious play to sign Jimmy Vesey as well.

So as college seasons begin to wind down, who could be the names linked to Chicago as free agents this spring?

Aston-Reese is having a terrific senior season at Northeastern, where he’s a teammate of Blackhawks draft picks Dylan Sikura and Ryan Shea. He’s had an incredibly productive season and has good size. Aston-Reese leads the country with 30 goals and is tied for the national lead with four short-handed goals as well.

Schilkey has scored double-digit goals all four years at Ohio State, and is having his more productive season as a senior. Before Ohio State, Schilkey spent two seasons with the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL, where he was a teammate of Nick Schmaltz. One of the Buckeyes’ netminders, Matt Tomkins, was drafted by Chicago in the seventh round in 2012. Schilkey has been Ohio State’s captain for two year.

Messner also has two current teammates who were drafted by the Blackhawks, Fredrik Olofsson and Luc Snuggerud. Messner is a top shot blocker who has a short-handed goal on his resume this year as well.

Another player to watch out for is Josh Healey. The linked hit got him a 2 game suspension. 45 points over his last 64 games. Not that big but plays with an edge.

From TSN-

“Old school – keep your head up when he’s on the ice,” one NHL executive said of the 22-year-old from Edmonton who has generated interest from almost every NHL club.

“Hits too hard for college hockey,” another NHL scout said. “His game will be better suited to pro.”

Healey attended the 2016 summer development camps of both the Calgary Flames and Nashville Predators. In 2015, he attended the Edmonton Oilers’ summer development camp. Those clubs are among the large group of NHL teams that will be competing to sign Healey once OSU’s season is over.

Scouts say he’s a decent first-pass defenceman but his forte is open-ice hitting and playing a hard, physical game. He projects as a depth or perhaps third-pairing type defenceman. He’s not a sure bet to play in the NHL, but certainly worth a shot.”

Shalunov because of age can only sign a 1 year ELC. If he had signed this year and then you’re in the same boat over the summer. He’d still be an RFA because of age. So it’s really immaterial other than you could see if he can play. The agent always said it was less than 10% chance he signs this year. It sounds like Sibir wants to get assets for their RFA and if he signs with the Hawks they’re not gonna get much.

Powers brings up a good point in that with the lack of a transfer agreement Shalunov could actually bolt. But the KHL guys get really pissy and hold grudges.He has aspirations of playing for the Russian Olympic team and he doesn’t want to ruin those chances. So my gut tells me he stays in Russia at least for another year as the NHL may not participate in the Olympics.

Raddysh also a right shot. For those that didn’t get the numbers it’s Darren Raddysh’s games played, goals, assists, points, +/-.

Yale advanced so they’ve got at least 2 more games. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Hayden opt to not sign immediately to finish school. If he does sign he’d gain a couple bucks and it would burn his first year off his ELC, I’d prefer he waits.

Dennis Gilbert, Luc Snuggerud, Lucas Carlson, Robin Norell, Robin Press, Forsling, Dahlstrom, and RFAs in Gustafson, Lurch, and Pokka… All guys that may be in Rockford so it may be tough signing a Raddysh type.

I’d love to see Aston-Reese and army goalie Parker Gahagen sign. Gahagen can sign as recently he can delay his service time. He’s 6’3 and posted a .937 and .936 save% the last 2 years and has a 1.90 GAA